Athletic apparatus having glove and locking handle

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an athletic apparatus for providing comfortability and protection. The athletic apparatus includes a glove having a first cushion covering substantially the entire inner surface of the glove, and a first locking means disposed on the surface of or between the first cushion means. Also included is a locking handle member adapted to be securely disposed around a handle of an object. The locking handle member includes a second cushion means covering substantially the entire outer surface of the locking handle member, and a second locking means disposed on the outer surface of or between the second cushion means. The first locking means securely mates with the second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to an athletic apparatus and, more particularly, to an athletic glove and locking handle member for providing comfortability and protection to the hands, while enhancing security and preventing slippage of an object being grasped.

2. Description of the Background Art

It is well known and understood that gloves of various types are used for different endeavors. Generally, gloves are used to provide means for obtaining a non-slip grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,368,811 to Finney discloses an interlocking glove and handle. The glove and handle comprises a first and second cooperating sheet material, respectively. The first cooperating sheet material has a large number of hooks of flexible resilient material projecting therefrom, and the second cooperating sheet material has a large number of loops of flexible resilient material projecting therefrom. When the sheet materials are pressed-form fitted together, they interlock with each other and provide a non-slip grip. This type of interlocking material fabric is commercially available under the trademark Velcro™.

The interlocking handle disclosed in Finney is limited to the hand grips of a golf club, tennis racket, baseball bat, fishing pole, archery bow, pistol grip, ski pole, hammer or axe, and control wheels of airplanes, automobiles, boats and the like. Finney is not concerned with handles or hand grips of weightlifting or weight training machines or equipment. Further, since the interlocking glove and handle is designed generally for various activities, and not for a specific use, the interlocking glove and handle does not provide the needed protection for a specific activity, e.g., shock absorption required for weightlifting or weight training.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,387 to Lopez discloses a glove apparatus that can be used in various sporting activities including weightlifting and weight training. Similar to the interlocking glove and handle of Finney, the sporting glove of Lopez utilizes the Velcro™ fastener material. The Velcro™ fastener material is displaced on the upper and lower palm areas, lower finger and immediate finger of the sporting glove to prevent slippage. Additionally, the Velcro™ fastener material is utilized as a protector (e.g., provides limited protection to pressure areas of the hands). However, such Velcro™ fastener material is uncomfortable when grasping objects.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an athletic apparatus for overcoming the shortcomings of traditional gloves, and providing greater comfortability and protection to the hands, while enhancing security and preventing slippage of the object being grasped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an athletic apparatus for providing comfortability and protection. The athletic apparatus includes a glove having a first cushion covering substantially the entire inner surface of the glove, and a first locking means disposed on the surface of or between the first cushion means. Also included is a locking handle member adapted to be securely disposed around a handle of an object. The locking handle member includes a second cushion means covering substantially the entire outer surface of the locking handle member, and a second locking means disposed on the outer surface of or between the second cushion means. The first locking means securely mates with the second locking means when pressed-form fitted together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove apparatus to be used with a locking handle member including a first locking means. The glove comprises a cushion means covering substantially the entire inner surface of the glove, and a second locking means disposed on the surface of or between the cushion means. The cushion means provides comfortability and protection when a handle of an object is grasped. The first locking means securely mates with the second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking handle member to be used with a glove including a first locking means. The locking handle member comprises a cushion means covering substantially the entire outer surface of the locking handle member, and a second locking means disposed of the outer surface of or between the cushion means. The locking handle member is adapted to be securely disposed around a handle of an object. The cushion means provides comfortability and protection when a handle of an object is grasped. The first locking means securely mates with the second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an athletic glove according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an athletic locking handle member according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an athletic locking handle member having a plurality of cushions according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates the athletic glove of FIG. 1A and the athletic locking handle member of FIG. 1B cooperating as a single unit.

FIG. 3B shows a side perspective view of the first locking means of the athletic glove of FIG. 1A and the second locking means of the locking handle member of FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of an athletic glove and locking handle member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of an athletic glove and locking handle member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of an athletic glove and locking handle member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustrating a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The athletic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an athletic glove 10 and a locking handle member 20. FIG. 1A illustrates the athletic glove 10 according to the present invention. The athletic glove 10 comprises a first cushion 12 and a first locking means 14. The athletic glove 10 is made of a material such as nylon, leather, net, spandex, or any breathable/porous material. The athletic glove 10 can cover the entire hand or can have cut-outs C for the fingers F, and should fit snug to the hand.

The first cushion 12 can be a gel-filled cushion that covers the entire inner surface of the athletic glove 10. Alternatively, the first cushion 12 can cover stress areas or points on the hand (not shown). In other words, the first cushion 12 can consist of a single piece or individual pieces of gel-filled material. Other materials (e.g., foam, rubber, plastic) or liquids/substances (e.g., water, silicone, air) can be used to fill the first cushion 12. In another embodiment, the first cushion 12 can be removable/exchangeable if additional protection or comfortability is not desirable. The first cushion 12 protects the user's hands by absorbing stress and shock. Since the first cushion 12 comprises the gel-filled material, the athletic glove 10 ensures comfortability when the user grasps the handle of weightlifting or weight training equipment.

The first locking means 14 has a flat circular configuration with a groove 16 for securely accommodating a protrusion 26 of a second locking means 24, as described in detail below. It should be known to the skilled artisan that the first locking means 14 can be of any configuration, such as oval, square, triangular, or the like. The first locking means 14 can be made of plastic, metal, or the like. The first locking means 14 is disposed on the top surface of or between the first cushion 12, such that the first cushion 12 absorbs any contact of the first locking means 14 from the user's hands, or shock or stress from the weightlifting or weight training equipment.

The athletic glove 10 is shown having five first locking means 14; three on a first row and two on a second row. However, the athletic glove 10 can include, for example, four or ten first locking means 14 disposed horizontally or vertically on the first cushion 12. It should be known to the skilled artisan that the number of first locking means included on the athletic glove 10 depends on various factors. For example, the factors can include the size of the user's hands, the design and style of the glove (e.g., single or multiple cushions), or the like. The number for second locking means 24 (FIG. 1B) of the athletic locking handle member 20 (FIG. 20) should match the number of first locking means 14 of the athletic glove 10.

FIG. 1B illustrates the athletic locking handle member 20 according to the present invention. The athletic locking handle member 20 is made of a sturdy material (e.g., leather, polyester, nylon, etc.). The athletic locking handle member 20 can be affixed to weightlifting or weight training equipment by wrapping the athletic locking handle member 20 around the handle of the equipment, and securing it with a securing means (not shown), such as snaps, hooks, Velcro™, or the like.

The athletic locking handle member 20 comprises a second cushion 22 and a second locking means 24. The second cushion 22 can be a gel-filled cushion that covers the entire outer surface of the athletic locking handle member 20. Alternatively, the second cushion 22 can cover areas associated with the stress areas or points on the hands, or alternatively, the first cushion 12 of the athletic glove 10. In other words, the second cushion can consist of a single piece 22 or individual pieces of gel-filled material 18 (FIG. 2). It should be noted that other materials (e.g., foam, rubber, plastic) or liquids/substances (e.g., water, silicone, air) can be used to fill the second cushion 22. In another embodiment, the second cushion 22 can be removable/exchangeable if additional protection or comfortability is not desirable. The second cushion 22 protects the user's hands by absorbing stress and shock. Since the second cushion 22 comprises the gel-filled material, there is additional comfortability when the user grasps the handle of weightlifting or weight training equipment comprising the locking handle member 20.

The second locking means 24 has a flat circular configuration with a protrusion 26 for securely mating with the groove 16 of the athletic glove 10. It should be known to the skilled artisan that the second locking means 24 can be of any configuration, such as oval, square, triangular, or the like. The second locking means 24 can be made of plastic, metal, or the like. The second locking means 24 is disposed on the top surface of or between the second cushion 22, such that the second cushion 22 absorbs any contact of the first locking means 14 and second locking means 24 from the user's hands, in addition to shock or stress from the weightlifting or weight training equipment.

The first locking means 14 and the second locking means 24 are not limited to a circular configuration with a groove and a protrusion, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first locking means and the second locking means can comprise two magnets 44, 46 (FIGS. 4A and 4B), a metal loop 54 cooperating with a metal hook 56 (FIGS. 5A and 5B)—this is not analogous to the Velcro™ material, an elongated plastic or metal groove 64 disposed horizontally across the glove 10 cooperating with an elongated plastic or metal protrusion 66 disposed horizontally across the locking handle member 20 (FIGS. 6A and 6B), or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3A, when the handle of weightlifting or weight training equipment comprising the athletic locking handle member 20 of the present invention is grasped with the athletic glove 10 of the present invention, the protrusions 26 of the second locking means 24 securely mates with the grooves 16 of the first locking means 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Accordingly, the athletic apparatus of the present invention provides adequate security, which is not cumbersome, for grasping the weightlifting or weight training equipment. Further, the athletic apparatus of the present invention prevents slippage of the weightlifting or weight training equipment.

The athletic glove 10 having a single cushion 12 (FIG. 1A) can be match with an athletic locking handle member 20, for example, having a plurality of cushions 18 (FIG. 2).

The foregoing has described the principles, embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments described above, as they should be regarded as being illustrative and not as restrictive. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the second locking means 24 can be incorporated into the first cushion 12 of the athletic glove 10, and the first locking means 14 can be incorporated into the second cushion 22 of the athletic handle member 20. Further, the athletic apparatus is not limited to weightlifting or weight training equipment. The athletic apparatus may be implemented with other sporting activities or the like.

While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above described exemplary embodiment.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention ate possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 

1. An athletic apparatus for providing comfortability and protection, comprising: a glove having a first cushion means covering substantially the entire inner surface of said glove, and a first locking means disposed on the surface of or between said first cushion means; and a locking handle member adapted to be securely disposed around a handle of an object, said locking handle member having a second cushion means covering substantially the entire outer surface of said locking handle member, and a second locking means disposed on the outer surface of or between said second cushion means, wherein said first locking means securely mates with said second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first locking means is a groove, and said second locking means is a protrusion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said groove is elongated and disposed horizontally across said glove, and said protrusion is elongated and disposed horizontally across said locking handle member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first locking means and said second locking means are magnets.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first locking means is a metal loop and said second locking means is a metal hook.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second locking means is a groove, and said first locking means is a protrusion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said groove is elongated and disposed horizontally across said glove, and said protrusion is elongated and disposed horizontally across said locking handle member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second locking means is a metal loop and said first locking means is a metal hook.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second cushion means comprise a gel-filled material.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first and second cushion means is a single piece of gel-filled material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first and second cushion means is a plurality of gel-filled material portions.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second cushion means are removable and/or exchangeable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said glove is made of a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, leather, net, and spandex.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locking handle member is made of a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, leather, polyester, and spandex.
 15. A glove apparatus to be used with a locking handle member including a first locking means, said glove comprising: a cushion means covering substantially the entire inner surface of said glove; and a second locking means disposed on the surface of or between said cushion means, wherein said cushion means provides comfortability and protection when a handle of an object is grasped, and the first locking means securely mates with said second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped.
 16. A locking handle member to be used with a glove including a first locking means, said locking handle member comprising: a cushion means covering substantially the entire outer surface of said locking handle member; and a second locking means disposed on the outer surface of or between said cushion means, said locking handle member is adapted to be securely disposed around a handle of an object, wherein said cushion means provides comfortability and protection when a handle of an object is grasped, and the first locking means securely mates with said second locking means when pressed together to enhance security and prevent slippage of the object being grasped. 